Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1887-04-25
AN OVATION
At GRAFTON TO WIN. N. CLEMENTS.

Special Telegram TO the Sunday ReGtster.
GRAFTON, April 23.-This has been a
gala day in the history of the town of Graf
ton, for it marked the return home of an
old and loved citizen. say home, for al
though Capt. Vim. NJ. Clements, the gen.
eral manager of the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad is not not resident of this town
for the whole State claims him as her
own-yet he is especially enshrined in the
affections of our people, high and low, big
and little, great and small. AS soon as
it became known that Manager Clements
was on trip of inspection over the line Of
the road, our people, outside Of railroad
circles, determined to show some mani
festation of the very great pleasure they
felt on his return to the management Of
the lines of this great corporation.
ARRANGEMENTS 4,
had been made for monster demOnstra-
ton this evening, and to that end large
quantities of tar barrels had been pur-
chased, several bands from distance en-
gagged, and an extra cannon or two Sc
cured. This programme was seriously in
terlerred with when the news reached
town this morning that Mr. Clement and
party had left Wheeling on the early train
and would reach Grafton about two o'clock
D. M. As an additional wet blanket to
the enthusiasm manifested for the occasion,
a personal letter was received from Mr.,
Clements, whOhad, through some busybOdy
or other, gained wind OF the affair, ask
ing that no demonstration be shown
here OH his account. Our business people,
however, concluded that this was not an
affair over which cold Boss" had control,
and concluded, Notwithstanding the con-
llict in the former arrangements, to make
the affair ut least imprOmptu, and go to
the train and there give expression to their
enthusiastic qualification over that which
they regard rs the greatest purely business
event that has marked the annals of our
town, since the first spike was driven on
the Southwestern Virginia Railroad.
About two o'clock our citizens began to
assemble at the railroad depot. The boys
got out
THE LITTLE BRASS CANNON,
which in political days belched forth their
enthusiasm for 'Blaine and Logan" our
city band made its appearance and moth
ing more was necessary to set of their en-
thusiaSm save the presence of West Nir-
ginia's honored citizen. At three O'Clock
the special train containing Mr.. Clements
private car, bearing the name West Vir-
ginia," Tin which is written the record of
noble act of noble NAM forged into
the station amidst the shouts of spectators,
the thunders OF the cannon, the music of
the band playing Hail to the Chief" the
ringing of the Court House and shop bells
and the piercing whistles Of about twenty
locomotives. Bedlam seemed to have ia
ken possession of the scene, when Mayor
Raymond, accompanied by the town COun-
Gil and city officers, were invited into the
car, and after congratulations the Mayor
extended the welcome and good cheer Of
our people as follows:
THE MAYORS WELCOME.
"lIr. Clements:
ION the part and in the name of the
common Council and citizens of the town
of Grafton, tender 10 you sincere and
hearty welcome, and with it our warmest
congratulations up& your return to the
management OF the Baltimore and Ohio
railroad. 1t is, | assure you, no sinister,
ambitious or selfish purpose which prompts
our people, of all ages, parties and call
ings, to come here and join in this large
demonstration of good feeling for you; but
it is our exalted regard tor an honored
citizen of our own State, who. while zeal
ously performing his duty TO his employees,
has never forgotten, AS some Others have, that
the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad passes
through the State of West Virginia, and
that the interest of the localities through
which it winds its sinuous and noun
famous way, have rights and interests
in common, and in manner reciprocal,
and Ia that extent should be respected.
This idea is already verified in your action
by the name which embellishes the sides
of this beautiful car. From your splendid
record in the past, we feel the warrant for
predicting that the future management OF
the great interests entrusted to your watch
ful care, will be so administered as to mark
a renewal of the old era and business con-
fidence which in your former capacity
characterized the intercourse between the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad aud its patrons
andemployes, for We recall with pride that
during that period, all our people, from
the largest shipper to the sOotiest track
man could always, and at all
times secure respectful hearing and an
honest adjustment of his grievances at the
hands OF VIM. M. Clements. This senti-
ment, sir, emphasizes itself on its way, as
it carries me back to the time when
in an individual capacity, as an humble
railroad employe, i was no stranger to
this feeling of confidence, and know that
so long as you are at the helm, your sub
ordinates will not look in vain to
you for the same guarantee
"And now having performed that which
has been to me the most agreeable and
pleasant duty of my life over your personal
protest against this demonstration, beg
in conclusion to say that among all our
people here assembled to do You honor
and shake yOu by the hand, there is not
one among them who does not wish you
God speed in your new work, and the full
measure of absolute and complete happi-
ness aud prosperity"
During the Mayors speech the big heart
Ofthe ''old man, " as railrOaders love to call
him, was visibly affected, and he feeliugly
responded as follows:
MR.. CLEMENTS RESPONSE
"Mr. Mayor, FsEIOO Citizens and Friends Of
West Virginia:
by this demonstration l realize that /
am home again, and with grateful heart
| thank You for your generous welcome.
To be able to renew old associations both
Of q social and business character: which
at all times were of the most pleasant snd
agreeable nature to me, has been, and is
always, the source of great pleasure; and
if during the time which has passed and
made its own record which cannot be re-
called, ! have contributed in the slightest
degree to your prosperity and happiness,